CONWAY, S.C. -- The UT Arlington men's basketball team suffered through one of its most disappointing performances of the season in a 90-65 setback to Coastal Carolina in both teams' Sun Belt Conference opener Friday at the HTC Center.

UTA lost its league opener for the first time in three years to fall to 9-5 on the season, while Coastal Carolina evened its overall record at 7-7 and starts conference play with a victory for the first time since joining the Sun Belt last year.

The Mavericks return to action Sunday with a 1:30 p.m. (CST) tipoff at Appalachian State, while Coastal Carolina remains in HTC Center to host Texas State at 2:30 p.m. The UTA men's game at Appalachian State will be preceded by the Lady Mavs contest at 11 a.m. Both teams return to College Park Center to host Troy and South Alabama next weekend.

As a team, UTA shot just 37.9 percent from the field - it's second-worst offensive performance of the season. Defensively, the Mavericks allowed Coastal Carolina to make 50 percent of its attempts and were outrebounded 41-34.

CCU's defense limited the nation's sixth-leading scorer, Kevin Hervey, to just 7 points on 3-of-11 shooting and 1-of-5 from long range. The Arlington native entered the game with a 23.6 per game scoring average. Teammate Erick Neal, who entered the game ranked third nationally in assists, scored 7 points and handed out 6 assists.

HOLIDAY HOOPS YOUTH TICKETSFor the entire month of December (through Jan. 6), all youth ages 18 and under will be admitted free to UTA home men and women's basketball games. Tickets are available at the College Park Center box office prior to each game.

PURCHASE UTA HOME GAME TICKETSSingle game, group and specially-priced multi-game ticket packages to attend UTA men and women's basketball events are on sale through the UTA Box Office in person or by calling (817) 272-8585 and online through UTATickets.com. Single game tickets are priced at $8, $12 and $25 per game, depending on seat location. UTA students and faculty staff tickets are available for just $5 per game. Discount Maverick Club (season) and general public (single game) parking is also available. Visit UTATickets.com for detailed information.

FOLLOW THE MAVS SOCIALLYFor up-to-date news, photos, videos and updates you can follow UTA sports program online at UTAMavs.com or via any of several social media accounts on twitter @UTAMavs, Instagram @UTAMavs, Snapchat @UTAMavs and Facebook at UTArlingtonAthletics. Follow the UTA basketball programs on Twitter at @UTA_MBB and @LadyMavHoops.